Event control device and digital broadcasting system

ABSTRACT

To provide a device capable of determining a delivery destination of an event automatically without requiring choosing operation of an operator. An event entered through an event input means  4  is given to a delivery destination determining means  6  which in turn determines to which of applications AP 1 , AP 2 , . . . , APn the given event is to be delivered according to the contents of the event and according to delivery destination determining information stored in a delivery destination determining information storing section, and delivers accordingly. Therefore, the event is delivered to an appropriate application even if the operator does not choose an addressed application.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The entire disclosure of the Japanese patent application No. Hei11-106739, filed on Apr. 14, 1999, including its specification, claims,drawings, and abstract is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to event control, and more specifically toautomated delivery of events.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In a window system for personal computers or the like, when aplural number of windows are running, to which of the windows the inputsentered through a mouse or a keyboard (event signals, or events) shouldbe given must be determined. Conventionally, an operating systemcontrols to give events to windows that are chosen and activated by anoperator.

[0004] However, the operation with such a method is cumbersome becausethe operator must choose and activate an intended window or windows bythe use of the mouse, etc.

[0005] To solve the above problem, JP-A-Hei 5-11962 proposes to keep alist of windows that can be activated, so that windows are switchedsequentially by pressing a specific key. This enables the user to switchwindows simply by pressing the specific key. This has put to practicaluse a simpler method of switching windows than choosing windows by theuse of a mouse.

[0006] However, even with this conventional art, that the user isrequired to operate the key is still cumbersome. Using the conventionalwindow system in particular to household-dedicated appliances such as aTV set poses a problem because the operation is required to be simple.

[0007] An object of the invention is to provide a technique for solvingthe above-described problem, making it possible to determine deliverydestinations of events without requiring choosing operations by theoperator.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a technique thatenables delivery destinations of events to be changed flexibly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (1) The event control device of this invention comprises an eventinput means for inputting events, a delivery destination determininginformation storing section storing the delivery destination determininginformation indicating for every application to which application anevent in question should be delivered according to the contents of theevent, and a delivery destination determining means for determining towhich application the event should be delivered according to thecontents of the event and on the basis of the delivery destinationdetermining information and delivering the event accordingly.

[0010] Therefore, an event can be delivered to an appropriateapplication according to the contents of the event, even without theoperator choosing an addressed application.

[0011] (2) The event control device of this invention is adapted torecord the degrees of priority of delivery as delivery destinationdetermining information. Therefore, an event can be delivered to anappropriate application according to the priority degree.

[0012] (3) The event control device of this invention further comprisesa delivery destination determining information changing means foracquiring information on which application is currently active and forchanging the delivery destination determining information on the basisof the acquired information. Therefore, an addressed application may beflexibly changed depending on which application is in operation.

[0013] (4) The event control device of this invention is characterizedin that the delivery destination determining information storing sectioncomprises an event reception specifying section storing information onwhether the event in question should be received or not, according tothe contents of respective events, and a delivery priority degreestoring section storing delivery priority degree information on to whichapplication the event should be delivered preferentially and in that thedelivery destination determining means determines the application towhich the event should be delivered and delivers the event on the basisof the description in the event reception specifying section and thedelivery priority degree storing section.

[0014] Since the event reception specification and the delivery prioritydegrees are stored separately, delivery destinations may be changedflexibly according to combinations of two pieces of information.

[0015] (5) The event control device of this invention further comprisesan event reception specification changing means for acquiringinformation on which application is currently in operation and forchanging the description in the event reception specifying sectionaccording to changes in the currently operating application.

[0016] Since it is arranged that only the application currently inoperation is described as the delivery destination of the event to bereceived, an addressed application is determined quickly.

[0017] (6) The event control device of this invention is characterizedin that the event reception specification changing means also carriesout the process of changing the description in the event receptionspecifying section according to current operating statuses of respectiveapplications.

[0018] Therefore, an addressed application may be flexibly changedaccording to the operating statuses of respective applications and anappropriate application may be chosen as the addressed applicationaccording to the situation.

[0019] (6) The event control device of this invention is characterizedin that the event reception specification changing means receivesdescription changing instructions from respective applications andcarries out the process of changing the description in the eventreception specifying section.

[0020] Therefore, which event may be received can be specified from theapplication side. That is to say, it is possible to determine events tobe received according to the progress in the process of an applicationwhen the application is created.

[0021] (7) The event control device of this invention is characterizedin that the delivery destination determining information storing sectioncomprises a basic delivery destination storing section in which aredescribed applications to be the basic delivery destinations forrespective contents of respective events, and that the deliverydestination determining means, in the case an application to which aninputted event may be delivered is not specified in the event receptionspecification section, delivers the event to the application of thebasic delivery destination described in the basic delivery destinationstoring section.

[0022] Therefore, even if the delivery destination of an event is notdescribed in the event reception specifying section, an application ofthe basic delivery destination may be determined as the deliverydestination. Therefore, in whatever status, a status in which nodelivery destination application is present can be avoided.

[0023] (8) The event control device of this invention further comprisesa delivery priority degree changing means for acquiring information onwhich application is currently in operation and for changing thepriority degree in the delivery priority degree storing sectionaccording to the change in the currently operating application.

[0024] Therefore, the delivery priority degree can be changed dependingon which application is currently in operation and an appropriatedelivery destination application can be chosen according to thesituation.

[0025] (10) The event control device of this invention is characterizedin that the delivery priority degree changing means changes the prioritydegree in the delivery priority degree storing section in considerationof current statuses of operation of respective applications.

[0026] Therefore, the delivery priority degree can be changed accordingto the operating statuses of respective applications and an appropriatedelivery destination application can be chosen according to thesituation.

[0027] (11) The event control device of this invention is characterizedin that a plural number of delivery priority degree tables are stored inthe delivery priority degree storing section corresponding tocombinations of applications in operation, and that the deliverypriority degree changing means changes the priority degree by choosing acorresponding delivery priority degree table according to changes in theapplications in operation.

[0028] Therefore, an appropriate delivery priority degree table may bequickly chosen and used.

[0029] (A) The event control device of this invention is characterizedin that the delivery priority degree changing means receives thecombinations of applications in operation or current operating statusesof respective applications and when they are in agreement withpredetermined conditions, changes the delivery priority degree of thedelivery priority degree storing section, and when in disagreement withthe predetermined conditions, does not change the delivery prioritydegree of the delivery priority degree storing section.

[0030] Therefore, the delivery priority degree can be changed only insuch an exceptional case in which the delivery priority degrees to becriteria are stored and kept and the process status is in agreement withthe predetermined conditions.

[0031] (12) The event control device of this invention is characterizedin that the delivery destination determining information storing sectioncomprises a delivery property storing section for storing deliveryproperties of events respective applications receive, and that thedelivery destination determining means determines the application towhich the event is delivered in consideration of also the deliveryproperties stored in the delivery property storing section.

[0032] Therefore, events can be appropriately delivered to respectiveapplications according to the delivery properties.

[0033] (13) The event control device of this invention is characterizedin that the delivery properties show whether an event in question can bereceived also with other applications.

[0034] Therefore, whether or not the event is to be deliveredsimultaneously to a plural number of applications can be appropriatelydetermined.

[0035] (14) The event control device of this invention is characterizedby further comprising a delivery property changing means for changingthe delivery properties of the delivery property storing sectionaccording to the operating statuses of respective applications.

[0036] Therefore, whether or not the event is to be deliveredsimultaneously to a plural number of applications can be appropriatelychanged according to the situation.

[0037] (15) The event control device of this invention is characterizedin that a plural number of events are grouped into event groups, thatthe delivery destination determining information storing section storesdelivery destination determining information showing to whichapplication an event belonging to an event group should be delivered forrespective applications by priority degrees, and that the deliverydestination determining means determines to which application the eventshould be delivered according to the priority degree stored in thedelivery destination determining information storing section anddelivers the event accordingly.

[0038] Therefore, a plural number of events can be arranged into groupsto control the delivery destination applications.

[0039] (16) The event control device of this invention further comprisesan event group changing means for changing the grouping of eventsaccording to the operating statuses of respective applications.

[0040] Therefore, events to be grouped can be appropriately changedaccording to the situation.

[0041] (17) The event control device of this invention is characterizedin that a plural number of applications are grouped into applicationgroups, that the delivery destination determining information storingsection stores delivery destination determining information showing towhich application group an event in question should be delivered foreach application group by the priority degrees, that the deliverydestination determining means determines according to the inputted eventto which application group the event should be delivered based on thepriority degrees stored in the delivery destination determininginformation storing section, and delivers the event to the applicationbelonging to the application group.

[0042] Therefore, delivery of events can be controlled by arranging aplural number of applications into groups.

[0043] (18) The event control device of this invention further comprisesan application group changing means for changing the grouping ofapplications according to the operating statuses of respectiveapplications.

[0044] Therefore, applications to be grouped can be appropriatelychanged according to the situation.

[0045] (19) The event control device of this invention is characterizedin that each application controls itself to writes information onwhether itself is activated or not in the delivery destinationdetermining information storing section.

[0046] Therefore, the delivery destination determining means candetermine the delivery destination of an event in consideration of thestatuses of respective applications stored in the delivery destinationdetermining information storing section.

[0047] (23) The event control device of this invention is characterizedin that the device is capable of operating a plural number ofapplications and determining which application should execute theinputted event, that it comprises an event execution informationrecording section for recording event execution information showing inwhich application the inputted event should be executed according to thecontents of the event, and an event delivery means for delivering agiven event to at least currently operating application, and that therespective applications that have received events from the eventdelivery means determine whether or not the received events should beexecuted in reference to the recorded contents in the event executioninformation recording section.

[0048] Therefore, the respective applications themselves can determinewhether or not to execute the received events in reference to the eventexecution information.

[0049] (24) The event control device of this invention is characterizedin that respective applications control to write as event executioninformation whether or not the respective applications are in operation.

[0050] Therefore, applications for executing events can be dynamicallychanged according to which applications are in operation.

[0051] (25) The event control device of this invention is characterizedin that each application records the current status of its own operationin the application operation recording section and each application thathas received an event from the event delivery means determines whetheror not the event it received should be executed in consideration of thecurrent operating status of the application recorded in the applicationoperation recording section.

[0052] Therefore, whether or not the event should be executed can bedetermined in consideration of the current operating status of eachapplication.

[0053] (27) The digital broadcasting system of this invention ischaracterized in that

[0054] a transmitter comprises a multiplexing means for creatingmultiplex data by multiplexing receivable event information describingevents receivable on a receiver side into contents, and a transmittingmeans for transmitting the multiplex data,

[0055] a receiver comprises a receiving means for receiving themultiplex data, an event input means for receiving events from anoperator, and a demultiplexing means provided with an interactivedemultiplexing application for demultiplexing the multiplex datareceived with the receiving means and for carrying out the process ofchanging the contents to be demultiplexed, and that

[0056] the demultiplexing means, based on the receivable eventinformation it has received, chooses receivable events out of eventsinputted from the event inputting means and gives them to theinteractive demultiplexing application.

[0057] Therefore, it is possible from the transmitter side to controlevents to be made receivable and events to be made not receivable on thereceiver side.

[0058] (29) The transmitter of this invention is characterized bycomprising a multiplexing means for creating multiplex data bymultiplexing receivable event information describing events receivableon a receiver side into contents, and a transmitting means fortransmitting the multiplex data.

[0059] Therefore, it is possible from the transmitter side to controlevents to be made receivable and events to be made not receivable on thereceiver side.

[0060] (30) The digital transmitter of this invention is characterizedin that the multiplexing means multiplexes the receivable event changinginformation for changing the receivable events based on specifiedconditions.

[0061] Therefore, it is possible from the transmitter side to changeevents to be made receivable and events to be made not receivable on thereceiver side.

[0062] (31) The digital transmitter of this invention is characterizedin that the contents are described in a self-descriptive type oflanguage and that the receivable event information is described asdefinition information on the self-descriptive type of language.

[0063] Therefore, it is possible from the transmitter side to easilycontrol events to be made receivable and events to be made notreceivable on the receiver side in data broadcasting, etc.

[0064] (32) The digital transmitter of this invention is characterizedin that the receivable event changing information is described as majorinformation of a self-descriptive type of language.

[0065] Therefore, it is possible from the transmitter side to easilychange events to be made receivable and events to be made not receivableon the receiver side in data broadcasting, etc.

[0066] (34) The receiver of this invention is characterized in that itcomprises a receiving means for receiving the multiplex data, an eventinput means for receiving events from an operator, and a demultiplexingmeans provided with an interactive demultiplexing application forcarrying out the processes of demultiplexing the multiplex data receivedwith the receiving means and changing the contents to be demultiplexed,and that

[0067] the demultiplexing means, based on the receivable eventinformation it has received, chooses receivable events out of eventsinputted from the event inputting means and gives them to theinteractive demultiplexing application.

[0068] Therefore, it is possible from the transmitter side to determineevents to be made receivable and events to be made not receivable basedon the control from the transmitter side.

[0069] (35) The digital receiver of this invention is characterized inthat the demultiplexing means changes the receivable events based on thereceivable event changing information it has received.

[0070] Therefore, the events to be made receivable and the events to bemade not receivable can be changed based on the control from thetransmitter side.

[0071] (41) The digital receiver of this invention is characterized inthat it receives multiplex data, demultiplexes and displays the receivedmultiplex data according to the operation of an operator, changes aprogram by means of a communication line or broadcast receptionaccording to the operation of the operator, or changes a program byreplacing a recording medium recording the program, and carries outdifferent displaying processes before and after the program change forthe same operation by the operator.

[0072] Therefore, in the status of the same application is activated,even if the operator operates in the same manner, the contents of theprocess may be changed automatically by changing the program, so thatdifferent displays can be produced.

[0073] (44) The digital transmission system of this invention ischaracterized in that

[0074] a transmitter comprises a multiplexing mans for creatingmultiplex data by multiplexing delivery destination determininginformation into contents, and a transmitting means for transmitting themultiplex data,

[0075] a receiver comprises a receiving means for receiving themultiplex data, an event input means for receiving events from anoperator, and a demultiplexing means provided with a plural number ofapplications including a demultiplexing application for demultiplexingmultiplex data received through the receiving means into contents, and

[0076] the demultiplexing means determines to which application theinputted event should be delivered according to the contents of theinputted event and based on the delivery destination determininginformation it has received.

[0077] Therefore, a broadcasting system can be provided that is capableof controlling from the transmitter side the delivery destination of theevent on the receiver side.

[0078] (45) The transmitter of this invention comprises a multiplexingmeans for creating multiplex data by multiplexing the deliverydestination determining information into contents, and a transmittingmeans for transmitting the multiplex data.

[0079] Therefore, a transmitter can be provided that is capable ofcontrolling from the transmitter side the delivery destination of theevent on the receiver side.

[0080] (46) The receiver of this invention is characterized in that itcomprises a receiving means for receiving multiplex data, an event inputmeans for receiving events from an operator, and a demultiplexing meansprovided with a plural number of applications including a demultiplexingapplication for demultiplexing the multiplex data received through thereceiving means into contents, and

[0081] the demultiplexing means determines to which application theevent is to be delivered according to the contents of the event enteredand on the basis of the delivery destination determining information ithas received.

[0082] Therefore, an application to which an event is to be deliveredcan be determined based on the delivery destination determininginformation sent from the receiver.

[0083] The terms used for describing the invention will be hereinafterexplained.

[0084] “Event” refers to an incident given to an application, program,etc. and is a concept including the depression of a key, movement of amouse, click on the mouse, reception of data, etc.

[0085] “Delivery destination determining information” refers to theinformation for determining to which application an event should bedelivered and is information including not only that expressed in theform of a table or the like but also that obtained by calculationprocess or the like. In the embodiments, this includes the followingtypes of information; event reception specifying information, deliverypriority degree information, basic delivery destination information,delivery property information, receivable event information, receivableevent changing information, application startup information, etc.

[0086] “Delivery destination determining means” refers to the means fordetermining the delivery destination of an event. In the embodiments,the event control program of FIG. 3, the event control program (fordetermining delivery destination) of FIG. 13, etc. correspond to this.

[0087] “Event reception specification changing means” refers to themeans for substantially changing the event reception specificationinformation used, and is means for such cases as including choosing apiece of information for use from a plural pieces of event receptionspecifying information prepared in advance, rewriting the contents ofthe event reception specifying information, etc. In the embodiments, theevent control program (for controlling the delivery destinationinformation), etc. of FIG. 12 correspond to this.

[0088] “Delivery priority degree changing means” refers to the means forsubstantially changing the delivery priority degree information used,and is a concept including such cases; as preparing a plural pieces ofdelivery priority degree information and choosing one for use, rewritingthe contents of the delivery priority degree information, etc.

[0089] “Delivery property information changing means” refers to themeans for substantially changing the delivery property information foruse, and is a concept including such cases; as preparing a plural piecesof delivery property information and choosing one for use, rewriting thecontents of the delivery property information, etc.

[0090] “Interactive demultiplexing application” refers to an applicationfor carrying out a process accompanied by some reactions in the outputcontents responsive to the input operation by a viewer (an operator),and is a concept including not only the cases of changing screen displayand voice output but also the cases of changes in the internal process,etc. even without any change in the screen display and voice output.This includes also an application for displaying an electronic programtable, and an application for station tuning responsive to the operationof a user. In the embodiments, the browser application corresponds tothis.

[0091] “Recording medium recording a program” refers to any recordingmedium such as ROM, RAM, flexible disk, CD-ROM, memory card, hard disk,etc. on which programs are recorded, and is a concept includingcommunication media such as telephone lines and transfer paths (carrierpaths). This concept includes not only such recording media as the harddisk connected to a CPU with programs recorded on it directly executedbut also such recording media as CD-ROM recording a program that is onceinstalled in a hard disk and then executed. Further, the programsreferred to here include not only those which can be directly executedbut also those of source type, compression-processed programs, encryptedprograms, etc.

[0092] The features, other objects, applications, effects, etc. willbecome apparent in reference to the following description on embodimentsand appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0093]FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an event control deviceas a first embodiment of the invention.

[0094]FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of a digital broadcastreceiver.

[0095]FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an event control program.

[0096]FIG. 4 shows delivery destination determining information.

[0097]FIG. 5 shows a status of a plural number of windows open.

[0098]FIG. 6 shows a window for an e-mail application.

[0099]FIG. 7 shows an internet browser application window.

[0100]FIG. 8 shows an external view of a remote control device.

[0101]FIG. 9 shows an overall configuration of an event control deviceas a second embodiment of the invention.

[0102]FIG. 10 shows event reception specifying information.

[0103]FIG. 11 shows event reception specifying information.

[0104]FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an event control program (forcontrolling delivery destination determining information).

[0105]FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an event control program (fordetermining delivery destination).

[0106]FIG. 14 shows an overall configuration of an event control deviceas a third a embodiment of the invention.

[0107]FIG. 15 shows delivery priority degree information.

[0108]FIG. 16 shows event reception specifying information.

[0109]FIG. 17 shows event reception specifying information.

[0110]FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an event control program (forcontrolling delivery destination determining information).

[0111]FIG. 19 is a flowchart of an event control program (fordetermining delivery destination).

[0112]FIG. 20 shows a pull-down menu of an internet browser applicationwindow.

[0113]FIG. 21 shows event reception specifying information.

[0114]FIG. 22 shows delivery priority degree information.

[0115]FIG. 23 shows event reception specifying information.

[0116]FIG. 24 shows event grouping information.

[0117]FIG. 25 shows an overall configuration of an event control deviceas a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0118]FIG. 26 shows delivery property (attribute) information.

[0119]FIG. 27 is a flowchart of an event control program.

[0120]FIG. 28 shows an overall configuration of an event control deviceas a fifth embodiment of the invention.

[0121]FIG. 29 shows application startup information.

[0122]FIG. 30 shows an overall configuration of an event control deviceas a sixth embodiment of the invention.

[0123]FIG. 31 shows event executing information.

[0124]FIG. 32 is a flowchart of an event processing program.

[0125]FIG. 33 shows the entire configuration of a transmitter of aseventh embodiment.

[0126]FIG. 34 shows the entire configuration of a receiver of theseventh embodiment.

[0127]FIG. 35 shows a detailed configuration of a transmitter.

[0128]FIG. 36 shows data packeting.

[0129]FIG. 37 shows a packeted data structure.

[0130]FIG. 38 shows relation between control data and contents data.

[0131]FIG. 39 shows control data NIT.

[0132]FIG. 40 shows HTML data.

[0133]FIG. 41 shows a hardware configuration of a digital receiver.

[0134]FIG. 42 shows a receivable event table.

[0135]FIG. 43 is an image of the HTML data of FIG. 3 displayed using abrowser.

[0136]FIG. 44 shows the entire configuration of a receiver of anotherembodiment.

[0137]FIG. 45 shows the entire configuration of a transmitter of aneighth embodiment.

[0138]FIG. 46 shows the entire configuration of a receiver of the eighthembodiment.

[0139]FIG. 47 shows HTML data.

[0140]FIG. 48 is a receivable event table.

[0141]FIG. 49 is an image of the HTML data of FIG. 47 displayed by theuse of a browser.

[0142]FIG. 50 is an image of the HTML data of FIG. 47 displayed by theuse of a browser.

[0143]FIG. 51 shows a hardware configuration of a digital receiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0144] 1. First Embodiment

[0145]FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an event control device 2as a first embodiment of the invention. An event entered through anevent input means 4 is given to a delivery destination determining means6. The delivery destination determining means 6 determines to which ofapplications AP1, AP2, . . . , APn the event given should be deliveredaccording to the contents of the event and delivery destinationdetermining information stored in a delivery destination determininginformation storing section 8, and delivers accordingly.

[0146]FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration in which the event controldevice 2 of FIG. 1 is applied to a digital broadcast receiver 12. Whilein this and other embodiments described hereinafter, the digitalbroadcast receiver is used as an example to which the event controldevice of the invention is applied, the invention may also be applied todevices with which events addressed to applications must be controlled.Such devices include audio apparatuses, personal computers, etc.

[0147] Electromagnetic waves caught with an antenna 16 are given to atuner 18. The tuner 18 chooses a transport stream according to thecontrol with a CPU 24. A plural number of services are multiplexed inone transport stream. A transport decoder (TS decoder) 20 tunes to oneservice and gives out outputs according to the control with the CPU 24.The outputs from the transport decoder 20 are given to an AV decoder 22,and converted into NTSC composite signals, etc. The NTSC compositesignals are outputted as images and voices with a TV set 14.

[0148] The CPU 24 controls the tuner 18 and the TS decoder 20 accordingto a tune-in application (program) recorded in a memory 26 (constitutedwith a read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), etc.), andtunes in a service station according to the event entered through theoperation input section 4. The operation input section 4 is a receivingsection for receiving instructions from a remote control or an operationentering button provided at the receiver 12. In this embodiment, eventsare entered with a remote control having buttons as shown in FIG. 8.

[0149] In the memory 26 are also recorded an internet browserapplication and an e-mail application, as well as the tune-inapplication. In addition to those programs, a system program (operatingsystem) for controlling the above programs is also recorded. Theinternet browser application is for going through data from the internetconnected through a communication control section 28. The e-mailapplication is for exchanging mails also through the internet. Thestartup, finish, and operation of the internet browser and the e-mailapplication are carried out by the events entered through the operationinput section 4.

[0150] In the memory 26 is also recorded delivery priority degreeinformation as shown in FIG. 4. The delivery priority degree informationshows to which application respective events should be given dependingon the contents of the events in the order of priority. The CPU 24refers to the delivery priority information according to the eventcontrol program recorded in the memory 26 and delivers the event enteredthrough the operation input section 4 to one of the applications. Aflowchart of an event control program recorded in the memory 26 is shownin FIG. 3.

[0151] A status assumed here as shown in FIG. 5 is that an e-mailapplication and an internet application are started up while receiving abroadcast program, and an e-mail window 32 and an internet browserwindow 34 are displayed as overlapping on a broadcast screen 30. Detailsof the e-mail window 32 and the internet browser window 34 are shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, respectively.

[0152] When an event is entered through the operation input section 4,an event control process shown in FIG. 3 is started. First, the CPU 24refers to the delivery priority degree information in the memory 26 andchooses an application of the highest priority degree for the evententered (step S1). For example, in the case a right movement button 36(FIG. 8) is pressed as an event, priority degrees for respectiveapplications are acquired from the box of right movement button of thedelivery priority determining information of FIG. 4. Therefore, theinternet browser application acquires the priority order “2,” the e-mailapplication acquires “1,” and the tune-in application acquires “.” Sincethe highest of these priority degrees is “1” for the e-mail application,the e-mail application is chosen. Incidentally in this embodiment, it isassumed that the smaller the numeral, the higher the priority degree.The symbol “ ” means that no priority degree is given, namely theapplication is not chosen as the delivery destination of the event.

[0153] When the e-mail application is chosen as described above, the CPU24 determines if the e-mail application chosen is running (step S2). Ifnot, an application of the next priority degree (an internet browser) ischosen (step S3). Here, since the e-mail application is running, theprocess goes to the step S4. In the step S4, the event of pressing theright movement button is delivered to the e-mail application.

[0154] Upon receiving the event of pressing the right movement button,the e-mail application performs a process corresponding to the event.For example as shown in FIG. 6, a marking cursor 100 at “File” is movedright to “Edit.” As a result, the status of a menu item “File” beingchosen changes to the status of “Edit” being chosen.

[0155] As described above, even if the operator does not specify anapplication as a delivery destination, the event of pressing the rightmovement button is automatically delivered to the e-mail application.Also for other events, they are delivered to appropriate applications.

[0156] In the above embodiment, the case is explained in which the rightmovement button 36 is pressed in the status of the internet application,e-mail application, and tune-in application are running. Next will bedescribed the case in which the right movement button 36 is pressed inthe status of only the internet application and the tune-in applicationare running.

[0157] First, the CPU 24 refers to the delivery priority information(FIG. 4) in the memory 26 and chooses an application of the highestpriority degree for the event of pressing the right movement buttonentered (step S1). Thus, the e-mail application of priority degree “1”is chosen. Next, whether the e-mail application is running is determined(step S2). Here, since the e-mail application is not running, anapplication of the next highest priority degree is chosen from thedelivery priority information (step S3). Thus, the internet browserapplication of priority degree “2” is chosen. Since the internet browserapplication is running, the process goes from the step S2 to the step S4to deliver the event of pressing the right movement button entered tothe internet browser application.

[0158] As described above, even if the same event is given, theappropriate delivery destination application determined depends on whichapplication is running.

[0159] Incidentally in the delivery priority degree information of FIG.4, the events such as “Menu,” “Power,” etc. for which no deliverydestination applications are described are to be delivered to the systemprogram.

[0160] 2. Second Embodiment

[0161]FIG. 9 shows an overall configuration of an event control device 2as a second embodiment of the invention. This embodiment comprises adelivery destination determining information changing means 10 toacquire the status information on respective applications and to changeaccording to the status the delivery destination determining informationrecorded in the delivery destination determining information storingsection 8.

[0162] The hardware structure in which the event control device of FIG.9 is applied to the digital broadcast receiver 12 is similar to that ofFIG. 2. In this embodiment, the event reception specifying informationas shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is recorded as the delivery destinationdetermining information in the memory 26. FIG. 10 shows the eventreception specifying information for use when the internet browserapplication, e-mail application, and tune-in application are running. Itshows that events are delivered to the applications provided with acircle ( ). FIG. 11 shows the event reception specifying information foruse when the internet browser application and the tune-in applicationare running. Furthermore, although the event reception specifyinginformation for use when the e-mail application and tune-in applicationare running is also recorded, illustration here is omitted. In thisembodiment as described above, tables of the event reception specifyinginformation are recorded for respective combinations of currentlyrunning applications.

[0163]FIGS. 12 and 13 show flowcharts of event control programs recordedin the memory 26. FIG. 12 shows a program for controlling the deliverydestination information, to be executed when a new application isstarted or an application is finished. First in the step S11, the CPU 24acquires information on which applications are running. Next, eventreception specifying information is chosen according to the combinationof running applications (step S12). For example, when the internetbrowser application and the tune-in application are running, the eventreception specifying information of FIG. 11 is chosen. The eventreception information chosen in this way is used in the deliverydestination determining program. When there is any change in the runningstatus of applications, the event reception information chosen by thedelivery destination determining information control program is changed.As a result, the event reception information used with the deliverydestination determining program is also changed.

[0164]FIG. 13 shows the delivery destination determining program to beexecuted when an event is produced. For example, when an event ofpressing the “#” button is produced, the tune-in application isdetermined as the delivery destination according to the event receptioninformation of FIG. 11 being chosen (step S21). Next, the event ofpressing the “#” button is delivered to the tune-in applicationdetermined as described above. The tune-in application, upon receivingthe event, carries out a process corresponding to pressing the “#”button (for example channel tuning using a code number).

[0165] This embodiment is adapted to switch the event receptionspecifying information according to the combination of runningapplications. Therefore, an appropriate delivery destination applicationcan be chosen according to the combination of running applications. Inother words, the delivery destination can be set precisely according tothe situation.

[0166] While this embodiment is adapted to switch the event receptionspecifying information according to the combination of runningapplications, it may be adapted otherwise as described later to changethe event reception specifying information according to the runningstatuses of respective applications. For example, in FIG. 11, in thestatus of the internet browser application pulling down and showing aspecific menu (such as “File,” etc. in FIG. 7), a change is made so thatthe event of pressing numeral keys “1,” “2,” . . . , “0” is receivedwith the internet browser application. In this way, the deliverydestination application can be changed more appropriately anddynamically according to the process statuses of respectiveapplications.

[0167] In the above-described case, it is appropriate to adapt that thedelivery destination determining information control program acquiresinformation on the running statuses of respective applications andchanges the event reception specifying information. It is alsoappropriate to adapt that the event reception specifying information ischanged from the side of respective applications.

[0168] 3. Third Embodiment

[0169]FIG. 14 shows an overall configuration of an event control device2 as a third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, thedelivery priority degree information and the event reception specifyinginformation are recorded as the delivery destination determininginformation in the delivery destination determining information storingsection 8. The delivery destination determining information changingmeans 10 acquires information on the statuses of respective applicationsand changes the event reception specifying information recorded in thedelivery destination determining information storing section 8.

[0170] The hardware structure in which the event control device of FIG.14 is applied to the digital broadcast receiver is similar to that ofFIG. 2. In this embodiment, the delivery priority information shown inFIG. 15 and event reception specifying information shown in FIGS. 16, 17are recorded in the memory 26. Here, the event reception specifyinginformation is provided for each combination of currently runningapplications. FIG. 16 shows the event reception specifying informationwhen the internet browser application, the e-mail application, and thetune-in application are running. FIG. 17 shows the event receptionspecifying information when the internet browser application and thetune-in application are running. Furthermore, although not shown, theevent reception specifying information for use when the e-mailapplication and tune-in application are running is also recorded.

[0171]FIGS. 18 and 19 show flowcharts of event control programs recordedin the memory 26. FIG. 18 shows a program for controlling the deliverydestination determining information, to be executed when a newapplication is started or an application is finished. First in the stepS31, the CPU 24 acquires information on which applications are running.Next, event reception specifying information is chosen according to thecombination of running applications (step S32). For example, when theinternet browser application, the e-mail application and the tune-inapplication are running, the event reception specifying informationshown FIG. 16 is chosen. The event reception information chosen in thisway is used in the delivery destination determining program. When anychange occurs in the running status of applications, the event receptioninformation chosen by the delivery destination determining informationcontrol program is changed. As a result, the event reception informationused with the delivery destination determining program is also changed.

[0172]FIG. 19 shows the delivery destination determining program to beexecuted when an event is produced. It is assumed for example that theoperator presses the # button and an event of pressing the # button isproduced. The CPU 24 refers to the delivery priority information shownin FIG. 15 and chooses an application of the highest priority degree forthe # button pressing event (step S41). Here, the e-mail application ofthe priority degree “1” is chosen. Next, the event reception specifyinginformation currently chosen as shown in FIG. 16 is referred to anddetermination is made whether the event may be delivered to theapplication (step S42). Since it is described in FIG. 16 that the #button pressing event may be delivered to the e-mail application (acircle mark is provided), it is determined that delivery is possible,and the process goes to the step S45.

[0173] In the step S45, the # button pressing event is delivered to thee-mail application. The e-mail application responds to the # buttonpressing event and carries out a process accordingly (for examplesending and receiving mails).

[0174] When an event of pressing the numeral button “1” is produced,FIG. 15 is referred to and the internet browser application is chosen(step S41). However, from the event reception specifying informationshown in FIG. 16, it is seen that, the numeral button “1” cannot bedelivered to the internet browser application (the mark is written).Therefore, the process goes from the step S42 to the steps S43 and S44.

[0175] In the step S44, an application of the next highest prioritydegree is chosen. Thus, the tune-in application of the priority degree“2” is chosen. According to FIG. 16, since the numeral button “1” may bedelivered to the tune-in application, the process goes to the step S45to deliver the event of pressing the numeral button “1” to the tune-inapplication.

[0176] In this way, the event of pressing the numeral button “1” isdelivered to the tune-in application, and the tune-in applicationcarries out tune-in operation accordingly.

[0177] Incidentally, in the case an application to which an event may bedelivered is not found even if it is tried to find such an applicationby lowering the priority degree to the lowest, the event is deliverednowhere (or delivered to the system program) and the process isfinished. Incidentally, the lowest priority degree can be recognizedwhen the number of applications running is known.

[0178] According to this embodiment, since the delivery destinationdetermining information is constituted with the delivery priority degreeinformation and the event reception specifying information, anappropriate delivery destination application may be flexibly setaccording to situations depending on the combination of the both typesof the constituting information.

[0179] And, since the event reception specifying information is switchedfor use according to the combination of running applications, thedelivery destinations for events may be appropriately determinedaccording to the running statuses of applications. In particular, thedelivery destination is easily set because it is arranged that thedelivery priority information is made stationary and to be changed bythe change in the event reception specifying information to cope withchanges in the situation.

[0180] While the above embodiment is adapted to choose the eventreception specifying information according to which applications arerunning, it may also be adapted to change the event reception specifyinginformation according to what operating statuses the respectiveapplications are in.

[0181] For example, it is assumed that the internet browser applicationand the tune-in application are running and the even receptionspecifying information shown in FIG. 17 is chosen. In this status, it isassumed that, as a result of an input operation by the operator, theinternet browser application is displaying a pull-down menu shown inFIG. 20. The delivery destination determining information controlprogram detects this status and changes the even reception specifyinginformation as shown in FIG. 21. That is, it is made possible that anevent of pressing the numeral key is delivered to the internet browserapplication.

[0182] As shown in FIG. 15, with respect to the numeral keys, theinternet browser application is set higher in priority degree.Therefore, when the operator presses a numeral key in this status, theevent of pressing the numeral key is delivered not to the tune-inapplication but to the internet browser application. That is to say, theoperator can cause the internet browser application to carry outprocesses according to the numeral key; if the numeral key is “1,” tocreate a new file, if “2,” to open an existing file, if “3,” to close afile, etc.

[0183] When the above process is over, the delivery destinationdetermining information control program brings the event receptionspecifying information back to the status shown in FIG. 17.

[0184] In the way described above, an appropriate application as thedestination of delivering an event can be determined according to thecurrent operating statuses of respective applications.

[0185] While the above case is arranged that the delivery destinationdetermining information control program acquires information on therunning statuses of respective applications and changes the eventreception specifying information, it may also be arranged that the eventreception specifying information is changed from the side of respectiveapplications.

[0186] And, while the above case is arranged that the event receptionspecifying information is changed according to the pull-down menu beingdisplayed, it may also be arranged that, when an application is presentwith its pull-down menu displayed, the event is deliveredunconditionally to the application with its pull-down menu displayed,without executing the delivery destination determining algorithm shownin FIG. 19.

[0187] The above embodiment is arranged that plural pieces of the eventreception specifying information are prepared in advance and the piecesof information are switched and used according to which applications arerunning. Likewise it may be arranged that plural pieces of the deliverypriority degree information are prepared in advance and the pieces ofinformation are switched and used according to which applications arerunning. Furthermore, it may be arranged that the delivery prioritydegree information is changed according to the operating statuses ofrespective applications.

[0188] In the above embodiment, it is arranged that an event, for whicha delivery destination cannot be determined from the delivery prioritydegree information and from the event reception specifying information,is not delivered to any application. However, it may be arranged that abasic delivery destination application is recorded for each event inadvance, and the event is delivered to the basic delivery destination inthe case it is impossible to which application the event is to bedelivered.

[0189] And, while the above embodiment is arranged that the deliverypriority degree information is first searched and then it is determinedif the event can be delivered, it may also be arranged that applicationsto be destinations are chosen in advance according to the eventreception specifying information, an application having the highestpriority degree is chosen from among the applications in reference tothe delivery priority degree information, and deliver the event to theapplication chosen.

[0190] It is also possible as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 to control thedelivery priority degree information and the event reception specifyinginformation by groups of events. That is to say, it is arranged that anyevent, as long as it is pressing a numeral key, is delivered to the sameapplication. In that case, as shown in FIG. 24, event groupinginformation is recorded in the memory 26 to show how the events arearranged into groups. FIG. 24 shows that the numeral group includes “1,”“2,” . . . , “9,” “0,” and “#,” and the cursor group includes “Move up,”“Move right,” “Move down,” “Move left,” and “Decide.” By arranging theevents into groups in this way, it is possible to simplify the controlof the delivery priority degree information and the event receptionspecifying information.

[0191] It may also be arranged that the event grouping information shownin FIG. 24 is changed according to which applications are in operation,the operating status of the applications, etc. so as to make it possibleto flexibly set the delivery destination of the event.

[0192] While the events are arranged into groups in the aboveembodiment, the applications may be arranged into groups. In that case,a single event is delivered to a plural number of applications belongingto a single group. It may also be arranged in the similar manner to thatdescribe above to change the contents of groups of applicationsaccording to which applications are running, the operating status of theapplications, etc. so as to make it possible to flexibly set thedelivery destination of the event.

[0193] 4. Fourth Embodiment

[0194]FIG. 25 shows an overall configuration of an event control device2 as a fourth embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, inaddition to the delivery priority degree information and the eventreception specifying information, delivery property information is alsorecorded in the delivery destination determining information storingsection 8. The delivery destination determining means 6 determinesdelivery mode for an event in consideration of the delivery propertyinformation. Here, the mode of event delivery refers to how an event isdelivered; whether an event is delivered simultaneously to a pluralnumber of applications, to which application an event is firstdelivered, etc.

[0195] The hardware configuration in which the event control device ofFIG. 25 is applied to a digital broadcast receiver is similar to that ofFIG. 2. In this embodiment, in addition to the delivery priorityinformation shown in FIG. 15 and the event reception specifyinginformation shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, delivery property information asshown in FIG. 26 is recorded in the memory 26. Incidentally, it may bearranged either that the delivery property information is provided foreach combination of running applications so as to be chosen and used, orthat a fixed type of delivery property information is used.

[0196]FIG. 27 shows a flowchart of an event control program. It isassumed that an event of pressing the “Move down” key occurs in thestatus of using the delivery priority degree information of FIG. 15, theevent reception specifying information of FIG. 16, and the deliveryproperty information of FIG. 26. In this case, first the e-mailapplication is chosen according to the delivery priority informationshown in FIG. 15, and since the delivery is possible according to theevent reception specifying information shown in FIG. 16, the event ofpressing the “Move down” key is delivered to the e-mail application(step S51).

[0197] Next, referring to the delivery property information shown inFIG. 26, it is known that the property of the event of pressing the“Move down” key in the e-mail application is “Share” (step S52). Thusthe CPU 24 is notified that the event is simultaneously delivered toother applications.

[0198] Next, the CPU 24 lowers the priority degree by one (here, down to“2”) and carries out the step S51. Thus, the internet browserapplication provided with priority degree “2” of the delivery prioritydegree information shown in FIG. 15 is chosen. Since the internetbrowser application is a delivery destination according to the eventreception specifying information shown in FIG. 16, the “Move down” keyis delivered also to the internet browser application.

[0199] Next, referring to the delivery property information shown inFIG. 26, it is known that the property of the event of pressing the“Move down” key in the internet browser application is “Share over”(step S52). Thus, the CPU 24 is notified that the event cannot bedelivered further to other applications. Therefore, the event deliveryprocess is finished (step S53).

[0200] As described above, providing the delivery property informationmakes it possible to appropriately set the mode of event delivery.

[0201] And, it may also be arranged that the delivery propertyinformation can be changed according to which applications are running,or to the current operating status of applications.

[0202] It is also possible to control the delivery property informationin the similar manner to that described before, to control events andapplications arranged in groups.

[0203] 5. Fifth Embodiment

[0204] The embodiments described above are arranged that the deliverypriority information, the event reception specifying information, thedelivery property information, etc. are recorded and used as thedelivery destination determining information. However, it is alsopossible to arrange as shown in FIG. 28 that each of the applicationsAP1, AP2, . . . , APn writes application start-up information, namelyinformation on whether the application itself is running or not as thedelivery destination determining information, to the deliverydestination determining information storing section 8.

[0205] An example of application start information is shown in FIG. 29.The delivery destination determining means 6 refers to the applicationstart information, determines an application to which the event given isto be delivered, and delivers the event accordingly.

[0206] 6. Sixth Embodiment

[0207] Each of the embodiments described above is arranged that thedelivery destination determining means 6 delivers an event selectivelyto applications AP1, AP2, . . . , APn according to the deliverydestination determining information of the delivery destinationdetermining information storing section 8. However, it may also bearranged that an event is delivered to all the applications (currentlyin operation) and a determination is made in each of the applicationsAP1, AP2, . . . , APn whether or not the event received is to beexecuted (whether it is to be handled as an effective event) accordingto the event executing information.

[0208] Such an embodiment is shown in FIG. 30. The hardwareconfiguration in which the event control device of FIG. 30 is applied toa digital broadcasting device is similar to that of FIG. 2. In thisembodiment, event executing information as shown in FIG. 31 is recordedin the memory 26. An event processing program as shown in FIG. 32 iscontained in each of the applications AP1, AP2, . . . , APn.

[0209] First, an application, upon receiving an event, determines fromthe event executing information shown in FIG. 31 whether or not theapplication itself should execute the received event (step S61). Forexample, in the case the application is a browser application and theevent is pressing the numeral key “9,” execution of the event isdetermined as possible ( ) according to FIG. 31 (step S62). In thiscase, the browser executes a process for the event (step S63).

[0210] And in the case the event given is “#,” execution of the event isdetermined as impossible (x) (step S62). In this case, the browserdestroys the event and does not execute the process for that event (stepS64).

[0211] Other applications which have received the event also determinewhether or not the event should be executed. Therefore, in the case theevent executing information is set as shown in FIG. 31, and if it is anumeral key, it is executed in both of the browser and the e-mailapplications.

[0212] It may also be arranged that the event executing information foruse is changed depending on which application is in operation or on itsoperating status.

[0213] While the above embodiment is arranged that there may be a casein which an event is executed with a plural number of applications, itmay also be arranged depending on the manner of describing the eventexecuting information that an event is executed with only a singleapplication.

[0214] It may also be arranged for the first to sixth embodimentsdescribed above that the delivery destination determining program, therespective applications, and the delivery destination information arerecorded in an IC card 27 and used as shown in FIG. 51. This makes iteasy to add new applications, to change the delivery destinationdetermining information, etc..

[0215] It may also be arranged to rewrite the delivery destinationdetermining program, the respective applications, and the deliverydestination information recorded in the memory 26 using thecommunication control section or broadcast waves instead of the IC card27.

[0216] In any of the above cases, even if the same event is given in thesame status (with the same application being started and in the sameoperating status), when rewriting or replacement is made, the result isthat the event is executed in different applications and differentlydisplayed (with different output results) on a TV set.

[0217] 7. Seventh Embodiment

[0218] 7.1 Overall Constitution of Digital Broadcasting System

[0219] The general configuration of a digital broadcast system accordingto the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is shown in FIGS. 33 and 34. Amultiplexing means 200 shown in FIG. 33 arranges broadcast contentsinformation 204 into multiplex packets according to control information208. The multiplexed data are given as a transport stream to atransmitting means 202 and transmitted through satellite waves orsurface waves.

[0220] Incidentally, although not shown, a plural number of broadcastcontents (service contents) are multiplexed in a single transportstream.

[0221] In this embodiment, events that may be received on the receiverside in relation to the contents information 204 are included asreceivable event information in the contents information 204. Therefore,the receivable event information is also multiplexed by means of themultiplexing means 200 and delivered.

[0222] A receiving means 210 shown in FIG. 34 receives wavestransmitted, and outputs them in a transport stream. A demultiplexingmeans 212 chooses an intended service from the transport stream anddemultiplexes the broadcast contents according to the controlinformation, etc. The step of choosing the intended service, etc. iscarried out with a control application 218 according to the event froman event input means 214 which receives events entered by an operator.

[0223] An interactive demultiplexing application 216, in addition todemultiplexing the contents information, changes the broadcast contentsaccording to the event received from the event input means 214. An eventcontrol means 220 controls to determine which of the events given fromthe event input means 214 is or is not to be delivered to theinteractive demultiplexing application. This delivery control is carriedout according to the receivable event information 222 delivered asmultiplexed in contents information.

[0224] As described above, this embodiment makes it possible for aperson who provides contents to determine events to be made receivableon the receiver side and to achieve flexible event reception accordingto broadcast contents.

[0225] 7.2 Transmitter

[0226]FIG. 35 shows an example of detailed configuration of atransmitter. This embodiment is an example for multiplexing andtransmitting services using video and audio data and HTML (hyper textmarkup language) data.

[0227] The video data 238 are compressed with an encoder 232 and givento a multiplexing section 200. Likewise, the audio data 240 arecompressed with an encoder 234 and given to the multiplexing section200.

[0228] The HTML data 204 are controlled with a data control section 236and given to the multiplexing section 200.

[0229] In this embodiment, the video and audio data as a single service(SV1) and the HTML data as a single service (SV2) are arranged intopackets and multiplexed through the multiplexing section 200. Thecreated transport stream is modulated in the modulating section 202 andtransmitted. Incidentally, control data required to discriminate packetsin connection with the packeting are created in a control datagenerating section 230 and multiplexed in the multiplexing section 200.

[0230] Although not shown, the transport stream created as describedabove is modified to have different frequencies, etc. to make a pluralnumber of transport streams which are transmitted.

[0231] This embodiment is assumed that receivable event information isdescribed in the HTML data.

[0232]FIG. 36 shows control data (NIT, PAT, PMT1, PMT2) and contentsdata (ES1(V), ES1(A), HTML) constituting the transport stream created.The control data and the contents data are respectively arranged in apacket structure as shown in FIG. 37. That is to say, the data aredivided into groups of specified lengths and provided with packet IDsfor identification.

[0233] As shown schematically with a line 50 in FIG. 36, when thepacketing of the control data (NIT, PAT, PMT1, PMT2) and contents data(ES1(V), ES1(A) is over, the next packeting is carried out as shown witha line 52.

[0234] As shown in FIG. 38, the packet ID of the video and audio serviceSV1 is described in the control data PMT1. Further, the packet ID of thecontrol data PMT1 is described in the control data PAT. Likewise, thepacket ID of the service SV2 of the HTML data is described in thecontrol data PMT2, and the packet ID of the control data PMT2 isdescribed in the control data PAT. Therefore, it is constituted thatdata of an intended service may be acquired by acquiring the controldata PAT and PMT.

[0235] As shown in FIG. 39, an overview table of services included inrespective transport streams are described in the control data NIT. Thepacket ID of the control data NIT is described in the control data PAT.

[0236]FIG. 40 shows example data of the HTML data as contents of theservice SV2. As described later, this HTML data are interpreted with abrowser application on the receiver side and displayed. The HTML dataare constituted with a definition information describing portion 510 anda major information describing portion 512.

[0237] In this embodiment, the description key list:“number.basic” inthe fourth line of the definition information describing portion 510 isthe receivable event information, and thus the browser application onthe receiver side shows the receivable event.

[0238] The term key list: shows that a receivable event follows thecolon (:). Here, it is shown that the events ‘number’ and ‘basic’ arereceivable. The ‘number’ represents the group of numeral keys, and‘basic’ represents the group of cursor movement keys, decision key, etc.Therefore, the browser application on the receiver side can receiveevents of pressing the numeral keys, cursor movement keys, decision key,etc.

[0239] 7.3 Receiver

[0240]FIG. 41 shows a hardware configuration in which the receiver shownin FIG. 40 is embodied by the use of a CPU. In the memory 26 arerecorded a tune-in application, a browser application, etc.

[0241] The CPU 24 controls to acquire an intended service according tothe tune-in application and the operation input (event) entered throughthe operation input section 4. Switching from one transport stream toanother is carried out by controlling a tuner 18 according to theinformation of the control data NIT. Choosing an intended service fromwithin the transport stream is carried out by controlling a transportdecoder 20. The transport decoder 20 outputs the intended packet onlywhen a packet ID is set. Therefore, CPU 24 can acquire the intendedservice by setting the packet ID to the transport decoder.

[0242] For example, it is assumed that an instruction is given so as totune to the service SV2 of the HTML data. If the channel number of theservice SV2 is “145,” the numeral keys “1,” “4,” and “5” are to bepressed. In response to this, the CPU 24 sets the packet ID (fixed to0×0000) of the control data PAT (See FIG. 38) to the TS decoder 20. As aresult, contents of the control data PAT are outputted from the TSdecoder 20 and stored in the memory 26. The CPU 24 refers to the controldata PAT separated in this way and acquires the packet ID of the controldata PMT2 of the service SV2.

[0243] Next, the packet ID of the control data PMT2 acquired asdescribed above is set to the TS decoder 20 and the contents of thecontrol data PMT2 is stored in the memory 26. Referring to the contentsof the control data PMT2, the CPU 24 acquires the packet ID of the HTMLdata. Next, by setting the packet ID of the HTML data to the TS decoder20, the HTML data are stored in the memory 26.

[0244] The HTML data stored in this way in the memory 26 are interpretedwith the browser application and displayed through an AV decoder 22 onthe TV set 14. The following description is based on the assumption thatHTML data as shown in FIG. 40 are received.

[0245] The browser application, upon receiving the description keylist:“number.basic” of the fourth line of FIG. 40, produces a receivableevent table in the memory 26. That is to say, events that can bereceived by the browser application are stored as a table. Here, since‘number’ and ‘basic’ are specified, events such as the numeral buttons,cursor movement buttons, decision button, etc. are deemed as receivableand a circle ( ) is recorded. The # button and the return button are notspecified, determined as not receivable, and “ ” is recorded.Incidentally, it is predetermined what kind of buttons belong to‘number’ and what kind of buttons belong to ‘basic.’

[0246] The browser application also interprets description in other HTMLand displays the contents on the TV set 14. The displayed contents areshown in FIG. 43. The image 520 shown in FIG. 43 is based on thedescription in the third line of the major information describingportion 512 of FIG. 40, src=“http://aaa/bbb/ccc/why.png.” That is tosay, the display is the result of the browser application interpretingthe description, acquiring the image stored in the position ofhttp://aaa/bbb/ccc/why.png, and displaying it.

[0247] In the 11th and 12th lines of the major information describingportion 512, it is described that, when the numeral button “1”(accesskey=“1”) is pressed (onclick), a function img1Goto( ) isexecuted. In the screen display status of FIG. 43, when the event ofpressing the numeral button “1” is given, the browser application refersto the receivable event table of FIG. 43 and determines if the event isreceivable. Here, since the numeral button “I” is receivable to thebrowser application, the browser application carries out a processcorresponding to the event of pressing the numeral button “1.” That isto say, based on the 11th and 12th lines of the major informationdescribing portion 512 of FIG. 40, the function img1Goto( ) is executed.The function img1Goto( ) is, as defined in the defining informationdescribing portion 510, an instruction to move to the position of“http://aaa//bbb/ccc/s2.htm.”

[0248] The browser application accordingly acquires, through thecommunication control section 28, information coming from the“http://aaa/gbbb/ccc/s2.htm” and displays it on the TV set 14.

[0249] Incidentally, in the status of screen display shown in FIG. 43,even if the event of pressing the # button is produced, since it isdefined as not receivable in the table of FIG. 42, the browserapplication does not accept the event. In that case, the event is givento other applications or not given to any application.

[0250] As described above, the event reception on the receiver side canbe determined from the transmitting side.

[0251] 7.4 Other Embodiments

[0252] The above embodiment is arranged that the browser applicationcreates the receivable event table and determines if the events arereceivable. That is, the browser application serves also as the eventcontrol means. However, it may also be arranged that an event controlprogram other than the browser application determines if the events arereceivable. That is, as shown in FIG. 44, an event control program 220may be provided in addition to an interactive demultiplexing application216.

[0253] While the above embodiment is arranged that the events arearranged in groups and the receivable event information is described forevery group, it is also possible to use receivable informationdescribing the receivability for every event.

[0254] Further, while the invention is applied to the broadcast usingthe HTML data, the invention may also be applied to a broadcast usingother self-describing type of language.

[0255] Further, while the above embodiment is arranged that thereceivable event information is described in the contents data, it mayalso be arranged that the receivable event information is described inthe control data (PMT, etc.) made to correspond to the contents data. Inthis way, the receivable events may be set not only for the databroadcasting using HTML or the like but also for the ordinary visual andaudio broadcast.

[0256] Further, while the above embodiment is arranged that the controlis made with the receivable event table, it may also be arranged thatthe delivery priority degree information and receivable event specifyinginformation as shown in FIGS. 15, 16, and 17 are prepared in advance inthe receiver, and the items in the browser software of the receivableevent specifying information are rewritten according to the receivableevent information received.

[0257] Still further, it may also be arranged that the deliverydestination specifying information as shown in the first to the sixthembodiments is multiplexed and sent from the transmitting side, and theevent control is made similarly to that of the first to the sixthembodiments on the receiving device side according to the deliverydestination determining information.

[0258] 8. Eighth Embodiment

[0259] 8. 1 Entire Constitution of Digital Broadcasting System

[0260]FIGS. 45 and 46 show the general configuration of a digitalbroadcasting system. With the transmitting device shown in FIG. 45, notonly the receivable event information 206 but also the receivable eventchanging information 250 is multiplexed and transmitted. The receivableevent changing information 250 is the information for changing,according to situation, events that become receivable according to thereceivable event information 206.

[0261] With the receiving device shown in FIG. 46, it is arranged thatthe receivable events may be changed according to the receivable eventchanging information received. Therefore, the receivable events may beset flexibly from the transmitting side according to the process status,etc. of the interactive demultiplexing application 216.

[0262] 8.2 Transmitter

[0263] The detailed configuration of the transmitter is similar to thatshown in FIG. 35. An example of HTML data transmitted is shown in FIG.47. In this embodiment, only ‘basic’ is specified as the receivableevent (See the third line). Therefore, while the browser application canreceive the cursor movement keys and the decision key, it cannot receivethe numeral keys.

[0264] In the 19th to 20th lines of the definition informationdescribing portion 510 is defined a function, funcage1( ). The contentis an instruction to rewrite ‘keylist’into “number,basic.” Therefore,when the function ‘funcage1( )’ is executed, not only the cursormovement keys and the decision key but also the numeral keys becomereceivable. Likewise, a function funcage2( ) is defined. Its content isan instruction to rewrite ‘keylist’ into “basic.” Therefore, when thefunction ‘funcage2( )’ is executed, only the cursor movement keys andthe decision key become receivable, and the numeral keys are notreceivable.

[0265] These functions funcage1( ) and funcage2( ) are executed in theeighth line of the major information describing portion 512. In thisembodiment, the receivable event changing information is constitutedwith the defining description of the above functions and the executingdescription of the above functions.

[0266] 8.3 Receiver

[0267] The hardware configuration of the receiving device of FIG. 46embodied by the use of a CPU is similar to that shown in FIG. 41. In thememory 26 are recorded the tune-in application, browser application,etc.

[0268] The process from choosing HTML data of FIG. 47 to recording it inthe memory 26 is similar to that of the seventh embodiment. The browserapplication interprets the HTML data stored in the memory 26 anddisplays them on the TV set 14.

[0269] The browser application acquires the description, keylist:“basic” of the third line of FIG. 41, creates a receivable event tableas shown in FIG. 48, and stored it in the memory 26. From the receivableevent table, it is known that the browser application can receive onlythe cursor movement keys and the decision key.

[0270] The browser application performs other HTML descriptions anddisplays an inquiry image as shown in FIG. 49 on the TV set 14. A viewerrefers to the screen image and moves the marking cursor (focus) usingthe cursor movement keys to enter answers to the inquiry. The control ofthe cursor movement is performed with the browser application. FIG. 49shows a status in which the marking cursor is located (focused) at theitem of sex. Namely, the item sex may be entered in this status.

[0271] When the cursor move-up key is operated in the status of FIG. 49,the item ‘age’ is brought into focus. The browser application detectsthis status and executes the function funcage1( ). Namely, the browserapplication interprets the description onfocus=“funcage1” in the eighthline of the major information describing portion 512 of FIG. 47 andexecutes it. The description onfocus=“funcage1” means that the functionfuncage1( ) is executed in the status of “age” in focus. The functionfuncage1( ) is, as described in the definition information describingportion 510, a function for rewriting ‘keylist’ into “number.basic.”Therefore, when “age” is brought into focus, the description becomeskeylist=“number.basic.” In response to this, the receivable event tableis also rewritten from the status shown in FIG. 48 to that shown in FIG.42. That is to say, the numeral keys also become receivable. Therefore,the viewer can give the event of pressing numeral keys to the browserapplication to enter the age by numerals as shown in FIG. 50.

[0272] Further, when “age” is put out of focus by the operation on thecursor movement key, the browser application detects the operation andexecutes the function funcage2( ). That is to say, the browserapplication interprets the description onblur=“funcage2” and executesit. The description onblur=“funcage2” means that the function funcage2() is executed in the status of the “age” being out of focus. Thefunction funcage2( ) is, as described in the definition informationdescribing portion 510, a function for rewriting ‘keylist’ into “basic.”Therefore, when the “age” is put out of focus, the description becomeskeylist=“basic,” As a result, the receivable event table shown in FIG.42 is also rewritten as shown in FIG. 48. Namely, the status of thenumeral keys is brought back to the status not receivable.

[0273] When a transmission button or the like (not shown) is operated,the answers entered are transmitted through a communication controlsection 28 to a service provider, etc.

[0274] As described above, the use of receivable event changinginformation makes it possible to change the receivable eventsappropriately according to the situation. It is also possible to specifysuch changes from the transmitting side.

[0275] The possible modifications of the seventh embodiment describedbefore may also be applied to this embodiment.

[0276] 9. Others

[0277] While various functions of the above embodiment are effected withthe CPU, they may be effected partly or entirely with a hardware logic.

[0278] While the above description is made only in connection with thereceiving operation, the invention may also be applied to devices forrecording and reproducing transport streams. In that case, it may bearranged that the delivery destination determining information and thereceivable event information may be changed depending on whether theyare used for reception or transmission.

[0279] While the invention is described above by way of preferableembodiments, the language used is not for limitation but for explanationand may be changed without departing from scope and spirit of theinvention within the scope of the appended claims.

[0280]FIG. 1 Image Overall configuration of event control device (1stembodiment)

[0281]4: Event input means 6: Delivery destination determining means

[0282]8: Delivery destination determining information storing section

[0283] AP1, . . . : Application

[0284]FIG. 2 Image Hardware configuration of digital broadcast receiver

[0285] Tuner TS decoder AV decoder TV set Memory Communication controlsection

[0286] Operation Input Section

[0287]FIG. 3 Image Event control program S1: Choose application ofhighest priority corresponding to event contents. S2: Is applicationactive? S3: Choose application of second highest priority. 54: Deliverevent to application. End

[0288]FIG. 4 Image Internet browser E-mail Tuning Decision Return MenuPower

[0289]FIG. 5 Image E-mail Create Transfer Communication Delete DisplayInternet browser File Edit Return Advance

[0290]FIG. 6 Image E-mail File Edit Display Mail Create Sender Allpeople Transfer Communication Delete Sender Subject Sato Bon danceUchida Swimming meet Takagi General cleaning Kondo Cicada catching Hi.I'm sato. We give a bon dance as follows: Date: August 14,15

[0291]FIG. 7 Internet browser File Edit Display Move Print ReturnAdvance Suspend Renew Favorite Home Address

[0292]FIG. 8 External view of remote controller Menu Submenu RecommendReturn Decision Program table Other program Promo Broadcast contentsPage Channel Pre-tune

What is claimed is:
 1. An event sending method in a digital broadcastingreceiver for sending to an application an event corresponding to aninput from a user, comprising: a step for registering first applicationdetermining information identifying which event can be received by afirst predetermined application, a step for sending the eventcorresponding to the input from the user to the first predeterminedapplication based on the first application determining information whenthe first application determining information identifies the eventcorresponding to the input from the user can be received by the firstpredetermined application; and a step for sending the eventcorresponding to the input from the user to a second predeterminedapplication other than the first predetermined application based on asecond application determining information when there is the secondapplication determining information identifying that the eventcorresponding to the input from the user can be received by the secondpredetermined application; wherein the first predetermined applicationregisters the first application determining information, and the secondpredetermined application registers the second application determininginformation which event can be received by the second predeterminedapplication.
 2. The event sending method according to claim 1, whereinthe first application alters the first application determininginformation based on situation of the first application.
 3. The eventsending method according to claim 1 wherein the second applicationalters the second application determining information based on situationof the second application.
 4. The event sending method according toclaim 1, wherein the first application determining information isregistered in a storage means in the receiver.
 5. The event sendingmethod according to claim 1, wherein the second application determininginformation is registered in a storage means in the receiver.
 6. Theevent sending method according to claim 1, wherein the firstpredetermined application registers the first application informationbased on a first receivable event information identifying which eventcan be received by the first predetermined application.
 7. The eventsending method according to claim 1, wherein the second predeterminedapplication registers the second application information based on asecond receivable event information identifying which event can bereceived by the second predetermined application.
 8. The event sendingmethod according to claim 6, wherein the first receivable eventinformation is transmitted to the receiver as a portion of digitalbroadcast.
 9. The event sending method according to claim 7, wherein thesecond receivable event information is transmitted to the receiver as aportion of digital broadcast.